Betting on sport is big organization.

Sport England estimates the worth of spending on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

Which figure is likely to have grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the overall international gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports gaming.

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gambling industry suffers, and incomes are put under threat if consumers can not bet with confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport betting stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports gambling market now.

"Not only is it a substantial market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have stated they will also challenge the corruption charges installed versus the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.

Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, however was banned last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the prohibited method to him to throw frames.

There are likewise two other continuing examinations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and fair that benefits wagering companies since people will invest money betting with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to take care about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee."

His organisation represents males and ladies in 15 sports in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He thinks that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to take on prospective issues around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states rules require to be explained plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through educating gamers about sports wagering you enhance integrity and that is in everyone's interest," he adds.

"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal advice at the Football Association, concurs.

"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we also make a point of telling players 'you are going to be captured'."

"It is crucial that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he includes.

"If it loses that then people don't desire to wager, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that once a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA rules indicate players are not enabled to wager on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.

So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

"We have to get over to players the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once confidence has been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" method, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial betting in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The overwhelming majority of sports wagering happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the outcome of a sporting event.

"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports wagering."

The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share info to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.

"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.

"We will alert sports of our concerns, to help avoid or cut [illegal] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a personal telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous investigations, and that much beneficial information has actually likewise been passed to sports authorities.

He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would think about stopping a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states a lot of those seeking to cheat the sports wagering industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.

"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."